Relationship between Some Clovers and Ditylenchus destructor Thorne, 1945

Abstract

IN a previous communication¹ the nematode Ditylenchus destructor Thorne, 1945, was recorded from the roots of a number of plants commonly found on Prince Edward Island. Two of these plants, Trifolium pratense L. and T. hybridum L., are abundant in most grass fields on the Island. Further examinations of roots of these two species from fields infested with D. destructor showed that there were considerable numbers of the nematode in the rhizospheres (the soil adhering to the roots after they have been dug and gently shaken) and some within mature roots of these plants but very few in or about young roots. Adults and larvæ were both present in the rhizospheres of plants taken from a frozen field in February, suggesting that there may be no special overwintering stage of the nematode such as is found in D. dipsaci.